• Vouchers – provides mobile voucher codes to help you save money on restaurants, shopping and days out.

• Zoopla – access the latest housing market information.

However, one city start-up believes it may have the solution – and it can found on your mobile phone.

Norwich-based Cyneric Media has devised a new smartphone app called Pocket Money, which allows parents to set children tasks in exchange for points that can be cashed in for financial rewards.

The free programme has been developed by computer coder and company founder Russell Taaffe after he became frustrated when he could not inspire his children to do jobs around the house.

He believes that his innovation has the potential to encourage children to become financially savvy and develop a strong work ethic – and he has already gained the support of north Norfolk MP Norman Lamb.

Now he is now keen to win the approval of the region’s councils in a bid to roll out the software in schools across East Anglia.

Cyneric Media, which has offices on Magdalen Street, said it was on course to add 40 new developers to its eight-strong workforce in 2015 – and transform its balance sheet from £20,000 loss to a £514,000 profit –after financial backers rushed to invest in a new smartphone game it is releasing later this year.

Mr Taaffe who created the company with his business partner Adam Kalynuk, said: “My two stepchildren were staying at home, playing computer games and not doing much, and we have a house which requires quite a bit of work.

“We wanted help and they were coming into their pre-teens and started to want pocket money to go out.

“That’s when I thought that, as a parent, we have leverage over our children. So I began to devise the app.

“I thought you could put a value on a car wash for example, and once that chore is complete the children’s account would be accredited with money or a reward.”

He added: “It teaches children the value of money and the importance of saving money, but it is down to the parent to set their own rewards.”

Pocket Money, which is aimed at six-to-14-year-olds, begins with parents setting children a series of tasks on the app for them to complete.

Adults have the power to decide the value of each task depending on how hard it is to finish.

Meanwhile, children can log into the app and choose which tasks they want to complete first as they look to collect enough points to reach their overall target.

However, Mr Taaffe is quick to stress that the rewards do not have to be for money, but could be anything from a trip to the beach or a new computer game.

Do you have a business story? Contact business editor Ben Woods on 01603 772 426 or email ben.woods@archant.co.uk